Ecclesiastes 9:13-11:6 Comments by Stephen Ricker
Bible Study Home Page

Wisdom is Better Than Strength
Comments for Study 8

Pick to read this Bible passage in a separate window.

Memory Verse: 11:5
Questions
Outline

SORRY, THE COMMENTARY FOR THIS BOOK HAS NOT BEEN FINISHED.
CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF BOOKS THAT ARE COMPLETED.

I. Wisdom Better Than Folly (9:13-18)

Poor Wise Man

* The engraving to the right is now in public domain. Verse 15 is quoted.

>1. How are this world's priority skewed according to verses 13-16?

* Ecclesiastes 9:13-16 "I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded."

* "I also saw under the sun" -The author is observing people's lives and behaviors in this world, mostly apart from God.

* "this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me" -The author, a teacher of wisdom was greatly impressed of an example of wisdom probably because it was rare in human societies.

* "a powerful king came against it" -Solomon's kingdom was only under threat at the very beginning of his reign. However, surrounding countries, especially to the north of Israel was often under threat of invasion.

* "surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it" -Israel was not attacked to this degree during Solomon's reign. However, during his youth David, his father's kingdom was often attacking and being attacked.

* "nobody remembered that poor man." -A warning against placing too high hopes on one's wisdom. The presenter of wisdom fades over time, application of their widsom is eventually undone, and it has no answer to death.

* "But the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded." -A brief study of history shows that many wise people have been all but forgotten in the modern conscious.

* Jesus is the poor wise man whose wisdom is despised and his words are no longer heeded. Several of his followers have lived this way too. Their wisdom saves the city from the wrath of God. Yet nobody remembers them.

>How are Jesus' words like quiet words? (17)

* Ecclesiastes 9:17 "The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools."

* "The quiet words of the wise"

* "the shouts of a ruler of fools."

* "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:68-69)

* "If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own." (John 7:17)

* "They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority." (Luke 4:32)

>How does verse 18 help explain the state of things in this world?

* Ecclesiastes 9:18 "Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good."

* "Wisdom is better than weapons of war"

* "one sinner destroys much good."

* "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (John 3:19-21)

* Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." (John 9:39

* Emotions can lead us to wonderful moments. Emotions can also lead to dreadful moments. Emotional words can bring light or darkness; life and death; words of healing and words of destruction.

During emotionally charged arguments quiet words are spoken by the wise and shouts are spoken by fools (17). The capability to control emotions (and thus words) is a muscle that is in all humans. Every aspect of the physical body needs activity and drills to mature; muscles, mind, emotions, etc. An emotionally mature person has learned to control their emotions through determined repetition of control. Control of my emotions leads to controlling the words I speak.

Likewise, controlling the words I speak leads to controlling a heated moment. Wise words are better than weapons of war for they do not kill, they heal (18). Yet one dark word destroys much good (18).

I can learn to control my emotions before it turns my tongue into a weapon to harm me and those I am speaking to. I first need to sense a powerful emotion rising in my heart. Then I need to exercise restraint; stop, think about it, breathe, harness the emotion, and force my self-preservation to head to selfless wise words.

Some people practice so they can be sarcastic. They learn control of emotions, yet speak unhealthy words. I can practice so I can be kind. I can learn to control of emotions so as to speak healthy words.

* The engraving is from a book by Luiken, Jan (1649-1712) and now in public domain is titled "The Barrel: The Louder the Barrel, the Less the Liquid". In a cellar with steps leading up to the street a number of barrels are stored. One man kneels down and knocks on an empty barrel to let a second man hear the sound that emanates from it. A couple views this scene from the city street. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712), whose initials are at the lower right, was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem, as well as for the poem that accompanies it (below). The attendant Scripture text is Ecclesiastes 9:17. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

The motto is "The Ear can taste, without the mouth, What is still hidden from the Eye". The accompanying poem is:

The Loud Empty Barrel

He who loved the noisy Barrel,
Would find himself deceived with that:
One should then forsake the World,
That hums and rumbles, with many promises,
(Surpassing the Barrel of Salvation,)
But at the end gave nothing but wind.
The quiet, pious, Devout life,
Will finally give from its fullness
That very sweetest wine,
Of Eternal rest and happy days,
That is the Barrel of good pleasure,
Compared to which all Barrels are empty.
Do then no longer lend thine ears,
To listen for a big noise,
And do not take the shell instead of the kernel,
But open the barrel's faucet,
And see from what runs out,
What is contained under the cover.
So the clear Eye will find,
From the Barrel that all men love,
(That great hollow World-Vat,)
After a few drops of sweetness,
Only Wind, from top to bottom,
And a sour drop on the Heart.
But the Heavenly Barrel will flow Eternally,
And wax eternally to fullness,
So that the blessed Soul and Spirit,
Which loved the quiet Barrel as if the fullest,
Will also find divine, what it sought,
A Drink that quenches Eternal Thirst.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker.)

II. Words From a Wise Man's Wealth (10:1-20)

>2. How does verse 1 explain the need for a Savior even though we try to do what is right?

* Ecclesiastes 10:1 "As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor."

* "As dead flies give perfume a bad smell" -The princle of a little bad ruins the who batch. This can be applied to an individual, a family, a group, a city, and a nation.

* "a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor" -So many who did good and lived well has been ruined by a few very poor decisions.

* King Hezekiah showing the Babylon emissaries Israel's riches is a good example. 2 Kings 20:12-19.

* Wisdom and honor are compared to perfume. Folly is compared to a dead fly. In my life, I may live in the wisest and most honorable decisions. Yet one foolish decision will tarnish my wisdom and honor enough to become useless and revolting.

"As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor." Knowing this truth I need to have vigilance of the heart.

Yet, what is folly? What are wisdom and honor? Are my understanding and practice correct? Folly and humor are not the same. Biblical wisdom refers to practical skills associated with understanding and living a successful life. These range from the ability to create highly skilled works to the intellectual capacity required to make choices that result in favorable outcomes and avoid troubles. Wisdom is associated with trust in and fear of God.

The book of Proverbs, the next book for BDBD has many references to folly and wisdom.

The King

* The engraving to the right from a book by Holbein, Hans (1497-1543) now in public domain is titled "The King". A king rests at a banquet as a skeleton (representing death) pours him something to drink. The hourglass on the table reminds the viewer of human mortality. The 54 images of Hans Holbein's "The Dance of Death" (Lyon, 1538) were cut by Hans Luetzelburger and here appear in the 1547 Latin edition of the work. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

>How does verse 2 reveal the conflict inside? (Romans 7:14-25)

* Ecclesiastes 10:2 "The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left."

* Romans 7:14-25 "We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."

* "The heart of the wise inclines to the right"

* "the heart of the fool to the left."

* The human heart is a bit of a mysterious thing. The existence of the human heart cannot be denied. The human heart is the center of our being; our emotions, thoughts, and will. The heart is the home of the personal life. Heart and soul are sometimes interchanged.

"The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left." The human heart is me and drives me.

To what extent can I control my heart? With discipline, a person may control thoughts, emotions, and will. Yet a person can only work with what they have. Make wine from spoiled grapes and the wine will be rotten.

I need not despair at the condition of my heart. "What is impossible with man, is possible with God," Jesus taught. The Lord transforms that which is impure. He changes anything. Jesus changes water into wine. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

>How is the fruit of the fool's heart eventually revealed? (2; Matthew 7:15-20)

* Ecclesiastes 10:3 "Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is."

* Matthew 7:15-20 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

* "the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is."

*

>3. How can verse 4 be applied to soldiers of Christ? (Hebrews 12:7-11)

* Ecclesiastes 10:4 "If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest."

* Hebrews 12:7-11 "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

* "If a ruler's anger rises against you,"

* "do not leave your post;"

* "calmness can lay great errors to rest."

>What is a sign of a bad ruler and leader? (5-6)

* Ecclesiastes 10:5-6 "There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones."

* "There is an evil I have seen under the sun"

* "the sort of error that arises from a ruler"

* "Fools are put in many high positions"

* "while the rich occupy the low ones."

*

>Why might a poor ruler do according to verse 7?

* Ecclesiastes 10:7 "I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves."

* "I have seen slaves on horseback"

* "while princes go on foot like slaves."

* A ruler can make wise decisions and foolish decisions. A ruler can be wise and foolish. These two simple truths often have little correlation. A wise leader can make foolish decisions and visa-versa. A ruler's emotional and spiritual stability is more inclined to influence his or her decisions than these two. The same can be said of me.

The author of Ecclesiastes points out an evil under the sun, the sort that arises from a ruler. I have seen this too. A person in a position of leadership posts people under them to manage affairs for one of two reasons. Many leaders place in high positions those who are loyal to them regardless of their skill and capability. The result is that "fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones." While other leaders look for skill and ability.

Most rich people in those days were people who had an ability and skill, made so by God. Today we call these people self-made and people with business sense. I like the author has witnessed good companies fall apart because those who rise in management were promoted because someone was building a silo of selfish power. I have also witnessed the opposite; people build companies because they recognize and promote people based on their skill, ability, and mental stability.

I learn to examine my motives. Why do I have the friends and partners that I have? Why am I choosing to spend the rest of my life in a commitment of marriage with someone? The answer to these questions will heavily influence my future success and happiness.

>4. How can poor and/or sinful acts work against us? (8-9)

* Ecclesiastes 10:8-9 "Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them."

* "Whoever digs a pit may fall into it"

* "whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake"

* "Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them"

* "whoever splits logs may be endangered by them."

* The simplest takeaway from verses 8 and 9 is that accidents happen and I may be the cause of the accident. When unintentional disasters and misfortunes happen I need to admit and accept my part in the cause. When I fall into a pit I dug, then admit and accept that I was the cause (8.). When I am bitten by a snake behind a wall that I brought through, then admit and accept that I was the cause (8.). When stones fall on me that I broke free from a quarry wall, then admit and accept that I was the cause (9). When a splinter from a log I am splitting gets into my mouth or eye, then admit and accept that I was the cause (9).

Applying the principle of "self-causes results in self-effects" should be applied to all life decisions. The roads to recovery, healing, and forgiveness of sins starts with admitting my guilt.

"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." (Proverbs 28:13) "'When anyone is guilty in any of these ways, he must confess in what way he has sinned." (Leviticus 5:5) "Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds." (Acts 19:18) "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

>How does verses 10-11 show the importance of preparation before working?

* Ecclesiastes 10:10-11 "If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success. If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer."

* "If the ax is dull... but skill will bring success"

* "If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer."

* When I was a young man I had several interests that I wanted to pursue; art, music, engineering, and horticulture. Preparing food came later. I was inspired and full of wonder at the masters of these life pursuits. I soon enough discovered that the master's skill was much harder to match than their final products appeared to have been achieved. The spirit was willing, but the skill was weak.

I was a dull ax, its edge unsharpened (10). I was an uncharmed snake; killing results before I was charmed (11). I learned that skill will bring success (10). I needed skills to be happy and pleased by success. Skill would bring the profit of a job well done.

When I pursued an education in my heart's desires I learned that refined skills required the determined pursuit of two things. I needed to learn and imitate the masters. And more than this I needed to practice, practice, practice. Continued use of these two can only be maintained by love, will, desire, and patience.

Since this is true when pursuing my heart's desires I shouldn't be surprised that it also applies to my character. How can I follow my Master expecting an immediate change of character? How can I follow my Master without applying these two principles to my life? I cannot. Since I want a good character I need to learn from the Master Jesus and practice, practice, and practice his way.

candlestick

* See a drawing found in a book titled "Emblemes" by Quarles, Francis (1592-1644). Ecclesiastes 11 is cited. The sign of Venus, which is also the gender marker for females, is shown at the top of this image next to the candlelight. On the other side of the candlelight is a goat which can represent strength. A quiver, bow, and arrow is at the foot of the candlestick. The title "Jam ruit in Venerem" is at the bottom translated "Now he rushes to Aphrodite." The engraver's name P Holmes is in the lower right. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

>5. How does verse 12 help us discern?

* Ecclesiastes 10:12 "Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips."

* "Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious"

* "a fool is consumed by his own lips."

*

*

>Why might a fool used many words? (13-14)

* Ecclesiastes 10:13-14 "At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness-- and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming-- who can tell him what will happen after him?"

* "At the beginning"

* "wicked madness"

* "the fool multiplies words."

* "No one knows what is coming-- who can tell him what will happen after him?"

*

>What does verse 15 mean?

* Ecclesiastes 10:15 "A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town."

* "A fool's work wearies him" -

* "he does not know the way to town." -Since in Scripture a fools is one who refuses God's teaching (5:4) this caustic saying (probably proverbial) refers to more than mere stupidity.

* A fool according to the Bible is a person who refuses God's teaching. A fool may be a knowledgeable and intelligent person and yet be a fool according to the Bible.

Since the general nature of a fool is to reject God and his teaching they tend to speak words about things they refuse to understand from God. They are consumed by their own words (12). A fool starts out by talking foolishness and ends up saying crazy things that are dangerous to themselves and others (13).

A fool rejects God's wisdom as proclaimed in this book. The conclusion of Ecclesiastes is that we fear God and keep his commandments for this is the duty of man. It continues that thought with the truth that we should enjoy the labors of our hard work under the sun; stop, take time to enjoy the gifts of God, and be good to others. A fool rejects this. Instead, they work until they are so weary they cannot even find their way to their home (in those days all lived in villages, towns, and cities.)

A wise person who obeys God speaks gracious words (12). They may not know what is specifically coming (14). However, they know that it is good to trust God and his teachings. When asked why they believe this they tell others that it is good to have faith in God's good intentions for their life.

>6. How does verses 16-17 explain the need to appoint proper elders and leaders? (Titus 1:5-9)

* Ecclesiastes 10:16-17 "Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning. Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time-- for strength and not for drunkenness."

* Titus 1:5-9 "The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it."

* Considering Israel's last kings this is true. Many were small-minded upstarts. (2 Kings 15:8-25; Hos. 7:3-7)

*

>7. Why must we keep up the gospel work? (18)

* Ecclesiastes 10:18 "If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks."

* ""If a man is lazy,"

* "the rafters sag;"

* "if his hands are idle"

* "the house leaks."

* Human nature is to sit back and rest, take it easy, and not work at all. A lazy mindset is drinking poison laced with honey (18).

Nature has an insatiable desire to tear things down. Eventually rafters sag causing the roof of a house to leak (18). A lazy person who does not repair the sagging roof will eventually drown in his own wake.

Kings and leaders are to serve the people if they want their kingdom to be secure and well off. If a king stops serving his people, becomes lazy, and seeks after parties and selfish gratification their realm will become weak and poor. Woe to the domain of a leader who is not a servant (16).

The leader of a house must work so as to counter nature's insatiable desire to tear down what they are building. Build enough to maintain and yet enjoy the fruits of hard labor. Bless is the house whose head works for the strength of their house and not to quench the thirst of a lazy mind.

>Why is money so important to everyone in this world? (19)

* Ecclesiastes 10:19 "A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything."

* "A feast is made for laughter"

* "wine makes life merry"

* "but money is the answer for everything" -This can be applied to many levels as a wry comment on human values, as sober advice to earn a good living rather than have a good time, or as stating the grat versatility of money.

* Luke 16:9

*

>When is it important to keep your thoughts to yourself?

* Ecclesiastes 10:20 "Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say."

* "Do not revile the king even in your thoughts"

* "curse the rich in your bedroom"

* "a bird of the air may carry your words"

* "a bird on the wing may report what you say."

*

III. Bread Upon Waters (11:1-6)

>8. What does verse 1 have to do with the gospel work?

* Ecclesiastes 11:1 "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again."

* "Cast your bread upon the waters" -On the surface a person would not cast bread upon water for it will quickly rot. Here "bread" can be money, effort, interest, and strength. "Waters" is plural. So this seeding is upon many places.

* "after many days you will find it again." -Investing in many adventurous places (spreading out your portfolio) inclusing risky investments will reap the benefits.

* For Israel much trade was by use of ships on the Mediterranean Sea. Solomon engaged in such trade and in doing so increased his and Israel's wealth.

* When investing we cannot always do so safely. Risks are needed. Not many risky investments result in return. But a few may.

* Proverbs 11:24

* Investing is a part of life under the sun for the wise. When thinking of investing money first comes to mind for money is the answer for everything in my generation (10:19). However, more basic and universal possessions are time, body, mind, and emotions. How do I use these?

"Casting bread upon waters" is saying I need to be long-term adventurous with my assets, like those who accept the risks and accept some loss. Eventually, the investment will yield a return, that is to say, "after many days I will find it again."

Regarding eternity in the life to come Jesus said, "I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings." (Luke 16:9) This is akin to the great commission, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." (Mark 16:15) And, ""Go and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:19)

>How can verse 2 be applied to sharing the gospel? (Luke 16:8-9)

* Ecclesiastes 11:2 "Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land."

* Luke 16:8-9 "The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings."

* "Give portions to seven, yes to eight" -"Give" here implies charity. We are to be very generous while we have plenty.

* "you do not know what disaster may come upon the land." -Unseen disasters always come. We could be left desolate and in need of others generosity.

* Jesus also told us to make many friends so that it will go well with us in the next.

>9. What principles that God established are stated in verses 3 and 4?

* Ecclesiastes 11:3-4 "If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie. Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap."

* "If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth."

* "Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie."

* "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap."

*

Eccl 11:4

* See a drawing found in children Bibles -English (1796). The book's self-description is "A new hieroglyphical Bible for the amusement & instruction of children: being a selection of the most useful lessons, and most interesting narratives, (scripturally arranged) from Genesis to the Revelations: embellished with familiar figures & striking emblems elegantly engraved: to the whole is added a sketch of the life of our Blessed Saviour, the holy Apostles, &c.: recommended by the Revd. Rowland Hill ..." Each page has illustrations to replace major topical items in the passage. In this case, wind, clouds, reaping, and sowing illustrate Ecclesiastes 11. Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.

>How does verse 5 teach us about trusting God?

* Ecclesiastes 11:5 "As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things."

* "As you do not know the path of the wind" -"Wind" here in Hebrew is the same word for "spirit".

* "how the body is formed in a mother's womb"

* "you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things."

* Jesus made the same statement to Nicodemus about the Spirit of God. (John 3:8)

* Might-have-beens and what-ifs should be avoided. They draw life to a slow crawl or even a standstill. They are like stepping into quicksand during a trek to a vacation destination; they keep me from peace and rest. Wisdom tells me to start where I am at and with what I have without getting stuck in the past.

Cause and effect are to be expected. "If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie. (3)" If I learn while in school I expand my skill set. If later I decide I should have studied other subjects I should not remain in the past I should move on.

Paying attention to the present is more beneficial than living in the past. Anticipating the future by observing present events and knowing established natural cycles can benefit me. "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. (4)"

Finally, I should recognize how limited my role is when things turn out not as I had hoped. "As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things."

Humbly accept and acknowledge the past without dwelling in it. Live in the present and observe natural life cycles while looking and anticipating a better tomorrow.

>How does verse 6 apply to doing gospel work by faith?

* Ecclesiastes 11:6 "Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well."

* "Sow your seed in the morning,"

* "at evening let not your hands be idle"

* "you do not know which will succeed"

* "whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well."

*